RISD sets budget
BY GLORIA JENNINGS

Following a public hearing Monday evening the Rusk school board adopted a $1.1575 district tax rate and approved a $15,547,395 district budget.

The tax rate is 28.5 cents less than the $1.4425 set for last year.

Of the $1.1575 rate, $1.04 will go toward maintenance and operation and 11.75 cents to the interest and sinking fund for debt payment.

Last year, the rate was divided with $1.37 going to maintenance and operation and 7.25 cents going to the interest and sinking fund.

The new general fund budget revenue totals $13,768,647, which includes $3,806,882 from local and intermediate sources; $9,938,224 from the state and $23,541 from the federal government.

Food service budget revenue totals $947,100 and will include $279,000 from local and intermediate sources; $6,500 from state funds; $626,600 from federal funds and $35,000 from other resources.

The debt service budget revenue totals $831,648 and includes $376,617 from local and intermediate funding and $455,031 from state funding.

The budget is financed with $4,462,499 or 28.7 percent from local and intermediate funds; $10,399,755 or 66.89 percent from state funds; $650,141 or 4.18 percent from federal funds; and $35,000 or 0.23 percent funding from other resources.

A budget summary is posted on the district's web site.

During the regular board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Jim Largent reported that 1,964 students reported for the first day of school Monday. This is a 52 student increase from last year's first day attendance. Enrollment during the 2006-07 school year ended with more than 2,000 students. "We expect to go over the 2,000 mark again this year," Dr. Largent said.

Each campus reported increases in first day enrollment. The primary school had 21 more students this year than last; the elementary school three more students; the intermediate school 13 more; the junior high four more students and the high school 19 additional students.

Preliminary construction work on the new gym is waiting for the clearing of the property. The primary school will get a new roof in the near future, Dr. Largent reported at the meeting.

Gloria Jennings of the Cherokeean Herald was recognized as a member in good standing of the statewide media honor roll.

Board members attending the meeting were President David Fulton; Vice-President Dr. Anthony Holcomb; Secretary Frances Long; Roy Cavazoz, Britt Patterson and Mike Ross. Absent was Rodney Hugghins.